Lead Engineer

CitizenShipper is seeking a mission-driven Lead Engineer to spearhead technical execution while maintaining a strong hands-on presence in development. As a nationwide marketplace connecting people needing to transport difficult-to-move items with professional drivers, we're particularly strong in pet transportation and serve various categories including motorcycles, boats, cars, and heavy equipment across the US.

The ideal candidate will be a technical leader with a builder's mindset and startup urgency, combining hands-on engineering excellence with strategic oversight. You'll be responsible for technical execution, code quality, and engineering velocity while actively contributing to the codebase. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our product, systems, and team while remaining deeply involved in day-to-day development.

Our engineering culture emphasizes learning by doing, with a focus on MVPs, quick validation of assumptions, and rapid deployment. We value execution, clarity, and simplicity over unnecessary complexity. The role involves regular coding, PR reviews, architecture planning, and team leadership, though it may not initially include direct reports.

Key responsibilities include writing production code, owning execution quality, translating product direction into technical plans, driving team alignment, and shaping long-term technical architecture. You'll also play a crucial role in team development, participating in hiring, defining technical roles, and evaluating team performance.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of software engineering experience, including 2+ years leading technical execution, with a proven track record of shipping quality software at scale. Experience with AI/ML tools and automation platforms is a plus. If you're a systems thinker who balances trade-offs, communicates excellently, and thrives in fast-paced, product-focused environments, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.